OF NOTE

A Monthly Update from The Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Increasing Inclusive Policies with Struggle and Celebration

As we conclude Black History Month, we have seen the manifestations of oppression in many forms, all against the backdrop of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic (read more of our statement on these crises here). We are also celebrating historic moments such as the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, as well as the celebrations and holidays that center community that have taken place in January and February, including Lunar New Year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the continuation of Black History Month (watch our video from last year’s celebration featuring Nellie Mae community members here). Read on for resources that embrace both the struggle and the celebration necessary for increasing inclusive educational policies.

OPTING OUT OF STANDARDIZED TESTING

Nellie Mae grantee Prism offers an in-depth look into how the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated and exposed long-standing inequities in standardized testing, and how many students and families are opting out of tests in response.

GOING ALL-IN FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CLASSROOM

As teachers across the country plan lessons around Black History Month, post-racial narratives that place anti-Black racism in the past must be replaced with necessary discussions about the truth of racism today. This is even more necessary in light of attacks on teaching the truth in schools, often (incorrectly) named as Critical Race Theory.

BANNING BOOKS IS DENYING STUDENTS THEIR HUMANITY

As we continue to see demands for legislative bans of books centering the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ people growing across the country, it is important that we take the time to remind ourselves why these stories are vital to an equitable education. Banning these books sends the message that the experiences of marginalized students don't matter.

REFRAMING LEARNING LOSS WITH DENA SIMMONS, Ed.D.

Join us today, February 28, for our first #EdEquityTalks event of 2022, co-sponsored by LiberatED, focused on reframing learning loss to center racial equity and the needs of our young people. Nellie Mae Program Officer Alexis Harewood and Dena Simmons, Ed.D., founder of LiberatED, will co-host this panel, featuring students Giulia Gennari, Favour Ben-Okafor, and Law-Rel Butler, and guest poet Jaylee Carles.

In This Issue

#ImWithYouth

Nellie Mae grantee Outright Vermont is calling on community members to send in "Heck Yeahs" to support trans students. Learn how to participate in this project.

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Building Joyful Spaces with African Community Education (ACE)

Our grantee ACE provides community work for African immigrants and refugees in Worcester, including tutoring, English language instruction, and mentorship. This article highlighting their work provides examples of the positive outcomes that occur when we create more inclusive programs and policies.